The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-10-23
HADLEY D. JOHNSON
Refers to the Methods of the
Minority"
AND STATES HIS PLAIN OPINION
The "Dry Bench Politician" Explains
Matters and Causes The Tribune"
Folks to "See Stars"
To the Editor of THE HERALD.

To the Editor of THE HERALD.
] noticed some days ago, in an editor
ial in the Salt Lake Tribune, treating OF
the methods of that Minority" the
following illusions to myself: GAS to
the letter of Hadley D. johnson. the
dry bench politician, little need be said.
The public knows what such an opinion
amounts to and will willingly consent
to let him continue dealing out consola-
ton to Judge Carlton and his friend.
However, there is a good deal in
Hadley's letter that did not find its
way into the report. Why was this left
out2 is a natural question. Read the
answer in the stars. The asEerisks in
that letter cover a multitude of things
that the minority would not like to
have President Cleveland see. Mr..
Cleveland did not give H. D. Johnson a
Utah Office, and therefore the said Fl.
D. J. will miss no opportunity to say
what he thinks of the 'Mugwump Presl-
dent In reading Mr.. Johnson's letter,
work in three cuss-words and Mr..
Cieveland's name to each star, and the
letter will read nearly as it WRs supplied
to the minority"
AS to the opinion of "dry bench
politician" admit that the public does
know what it amounts to, and will
judge of it as the public thinks proper.
This much l will say, however-as to
my opinions, they are my own and are
given honestly without money and
without price," and will possibly have
as much weight as the opinions of the
sage-brush editor of the Tribune, who is
paid for all the opinions printed in that
sheet, and who dare not print any opin.
ion Objectionable to the corporation
which pays him his weekly allowance.
In order that the mares nest"
by the Tribune, as we'll as to
let the public know the meaning of the
stars, will be much obliged if you will
print my letter as it was written. OF
course, l do not know why the minor
ity" emasculated the communication;
perhaps they thought it was too long
for publication. l was not aware that
any part of the letter would be pub
lished, or possibly l should have given
my opinion without the historical part.
Let me here refer to the Tribune again
SO far as to remark that n. D. J. did not
ask the President for q Utah office, nor
for any Office, a fact probably we'll
known to the Tribune.
81. D. JOHNSON.
THE LETTER.
SALT LAKE CITY, U. T., Sept. l, 1887.
Hon. a. B. Carlton and Gen. John A.
McCLerslG7ld.
GcntLensen-Your esteemed note of
August 18th has been at hand for some
days, and after some delay, having been
somewhat indisposed, shall attempt a
reply to your inquiry although satisfied
that my reply may be unsatisfactory to
you, for confess that 1 am unable to
arrive at conclusion on the subject OF
your query, entirely satisfactory to my
own mind. AS you remark, l have had
many years in which to observe the
condition of affairs in Utah. more es-
pecially in regard to the effect of the
practice of polygamy upon the people
residing in the Territory; but this fact
does not enable me to decide positively
the question propounded in your note
to which refer. You ask me, What in
your judgment will be the efficacy of
the law of the United States, particu-
larly the Edmunds-Tucker act, in put
ting stop to the practice of polygamy
in this Territory" If l were a real
down east Yankee, 1 might perhaps
answer your question by asking YOU
another, to-wit: What will be the eff
cacy of the Edmunds-T Tucker act in
putting q stop to the social evil in
Washington City? But not being real
Yankee. will not ask the question, but
instead will remark, incidentally, that
when Washington City hbertines cease
to indulge in their immoral practices,
perhaps Mormon fanatics and Mormon
sensualists will cease the practice of
polygaIny. l have been somewhat
with a good many of the
Latter day Saints, as they call them
selves, since the year 1S51-at which
time located at Council Bluffs, iowa
at which time most of the inhabitants of
that place and vicinity were of the Nor
mon faith; and although never having
been sufficiently intimate with them to
become acquainted with the in
side workings of their peculiar in
Stitution," l have not been unobservant
of its outside effects and influences.
w unO IcSIuIuS III 1OWd became aware
of two facts: First, that while the Nor
mons openly avowed and preached
their belief in the plural wife system, as
they then denominated polygamy, as a
authorized doctrine, they were,
in the second place, remarkably dis
Greet and secretive in its practice;
knowing, as they did, their liability to
indictment and trial for such offenses
under the laws of that State, then and
now in existence; fear of the conse-
quences no doubt restraining them
from its public practice. Coming, how
ever, as they did, in 1s47, to this valley,
where they supposed no human laws
could reach and punish them for this
offense, as Congress had not at that
time taken any steps toward extending
the laws of the United States
over this locality, the leaders
of the church naturally became more
bold in preaching and in urging the
practice of polygamy upon the people,
and the latter, either through fanati-
cism or lust, were not slow in following
the example of the leaders.
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